Jesus Says. . .

Today during the Children's Message at FUMC, Mateo talked to the children using a comparison to the game Simon Says.  In order to win the game Simon Says, one must complete all the activities that "Simon says" to complete.  In order to "win" a Heavenly prize, we must follow the commands of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus says. . ."You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37) 

Jesus says. . ."You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  (Matthew 22:39)

This is a personal challenge that I accept this week, as I strive to do as Jesus Says. . .

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On another note, I did something new a different everyday over this weekend.  Friday, I went to the Relay for Life, as I already posted. 

Saturday, I went with my two Sister-in-Laws to Sugar Ridge Winery.  We went for a jewelry party.  I had a nice time.  I don't spend much time out or away from my hubby and children.  This was a nice change of pace. 

Today, Sunday, I made an Apple Crisp.  My apple crisp turned out very runny, not very crisp, but it tasted really good.  Jason had bought a bag of apples but did not like the way they tasted and I did not want them to be wasted so I found this recipe.

Relay for Life



This evening I had the opportunity to experience something I've never done before.  I went and checked out the Relay for Life.  I've heard of the Relay for Life, but honestly, it's not something I've ever done before.  I've donated to the Relay for Life, but have never been an active participant.  My sisters, Kim and Caren, have been a part of the Relay for Life for a few years now, but not me.  My dad and his brother, Johnny, were both walking the Survivor lap this year.  I wanted to go and be supportive.  Unfortunately, my work schedule and Ryan's baseball schedule interferred and I did not get to the field in time to see them walk.  As I was walking around, looking for my family, I was amazed by the sheer numbers of people who were there and the flurry of activity.  Many people had on purple Survivor shirts and they were surrounded and supported by many others who were just there to raise awareness and money for Cancer research.



One of my co-workers sent me an email a few weeks back.  It said ".... I understand what it is like to go thru all of this. It is very scary and just know that some days will be good and other days wont.   Cancer is a family disease. The whole family experiences it and has to all grieve. . ."  Her husband is a cancer Survivor and she is so right.  Cancer is a family disease.  Everyone is affected in one way or another.

I might have missed the Survivor lap, but I was able to catch up with my family for a few moments.  It was an uplifting experience watching the love and support of the community as they banded together against cancer.

Next year, you'll find me an active participant among the throngs of people, taking a stand against cancer.

NFL Draft

My oldest son, Hayden, is all about football.  He dreams of going to college on a football scholarship and then one day playing in the NFL.  Jason and I both spend quite a bit of time encouraging that dream all the while reminding him of the hard work that it entails both on and off the field and in and out of the classroom.

Hayden wanted to watch the NFL Draft.  The first round was televised this evening.  We all sat down and watched as one by one 32 young men were selected to play by various teams across the NFL.  It was interesting to watch and it got me to thinking. . .

If getting into Heaven was a draft, would my actions and efforts here on Earth be enough for me to make it in the first round?  Am I focusing my efforts on God's work or man's work?  Am I developing and using the skills that would put me on God's Team?

Everyday is a new game, a new opportunity to prove my Heavenly worth.  Everyday I have the opportunity to reach out and touch someone, to be the hand of God.  I pray that my actions and my words allow me to be reflection of God upon the world.  I pray that on draft day, I am called to Heaven in the first round!  I pray that you all come with me!

Holding My Breath. . .

I realized today that I've been holding my breath for the last two weeks.  I've literally put my life on hold while I waited to see what was going to happen.  I realize that it's probably a very natural response.  When someone you love and cherish is going through something as awful as cancer, you find yourself waiting for some scrap of information about what the future holds and while you are waiting, time is slipping by and moving on without you.

God has been calling me.  Calling me to fulfill some very specific tasks and I've put God on hold because I've been waiting for a few answers about my Dad.  Specifically, I wanted to know how much time. . .

Today Doctor Melguizo basically said "I don't know."  When we pressed on he said - statistically, the median time with this type of brain cancer is 18 to 24 months.  About 10% or so live even longer.  We have to wait and see Dad's response to the treatments.  Only time will tell.

Wow!  As I type this, I'm at a loss for words.  What would we do with our time if we knew we only had 18 to 24 months?  I'm so grateful for the knowledge.  Had I known that I had only 18 to 24 months with my sister Liz, I would have done things much differently.  Not just differently with Liz, but differently for me too.  I've been thinking about priorities and changes that I would like to make.  Changes that make my life more about God and his plan for me and my family.

It's time to stop holding my breath, time to start breathing, time to start living and carrying out the plans that God is calling me to do. . .

Testify!

I wanted to share the following.  Mainly because I really do not ever want to forget this.  I have never been more proud of my husband than when I read this.  He posted this on his facebook page.  I copied and pasted it here for others to read.  My husband is an amazing man the a contagious laugh.  I love nothing more than to hear him laugh.  This is his Testimony and I wanted to share it with all of you.

God Speaks To Us All
By Jason Mahone

God speaks to us all. The question is...will you take the time to listen?

It was around this time two years ago when God was speaking to me. He wasn't just sending subtle little hints either, he was using a bull horn and flashing lights. He was speaking to me thru Boo. Those of you that really know me know that all my life I've been an angry bitter person towards the world. It was to the point that nothing could go right, and nobody could do anything right. I hated the world and I even stopped believing in God. Questioning and doubting everything about Him. It didn't help matters much three years ago when Liz passed away . The night that she passed away I was only thirty minutes away picking up a bobcat I just purchased. If I hadn't have been so selfish and just wanting to get back home, I could have took the time to go by and stay the night and get rested up for the long drive the next morning, and just maybe she would still be with us today. The next night we were awakened by a Deputy Sheriff, and my wife was notified that she has just lost her sister, her best friend. Our world was rocked. My faith all but shut out of my life. I think Shell still had faith, but my questions and doubts was rubbing off on her and passing down to my kids. I started to see the young man, no wait, the punk Boo was turning into. I couldn't believe that my baby boy could have such an attitude and talk the way he was talking. Where did he get all that from? How could he get that way at such an early age? And then one morning after we had a confrontation, I was brushing my teeth and looking in the mirror, and I saw the person he was becoming. I was terrified, and yet again angry, but this time I was angry at myself. What have I done? Why would a father let this happen to his son? It was then and there that I knew I had to change. So I went to him that evening and what did I do? I told him to pick a Church that he wanted to go to because he had to change his attitude. WHAT? REALLY? I didn't realize it until now that I was making him believe that all this was his fault. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! What I should of said was that I needed to change and that I needed his help.

That next Sunday we went to our First service at First United Methodist Church. Boo had some friends there and Shell and I knew a few people also. I really didn't know what to expect, but I did know that I didn't want to go to that second service, all they do is sing the whole service. The people at the church welcomed us with open arms. Treated us like a family from day one. We felt like we really belonged. We were going there for a few weeks when I could really start to feel the Preacher talking to me. You could just feel the passion in his sermons. A couple of weeks later we joined the Church and rekindled our fire with Christ. Not only did we get a powerful pastor in Keith, but we got a powerful Youth Minister for Boo. Mateo's love for Christ and the kids is unmatched by any other. We probably don't tell him enough how important he is in our lives. We could really see the positive impact Mateo and friends were having on Boo's life, and the babies loved going to Sunday School also. Shell and I would go to the first service, send the kids to Sunday School, and then we were off to get breakfast. Then again setting a great example for our kids. Right? Shell was interested in finding out more about being a Methodist, and Rev. Murray started a class on the History of it. That was our next step in being a part of the family. We really were starting to feel a sense of belonging at this point. We were starting new relationships with people that we knew but didn't really know, and we could see some signs of happiness in Boo. From then on we continued to get more involved. We are currently apart of two separate classes. Shell has her women's class and I'm attending a men's class. We are joined by friends that want to learn to be better Christians, Spouses and Parents. We are each telling our own stories only to find out that we are all very similar. I have some great guys that I can learn from and strive to be a better Christian. I'm proud to say that we are regularly attending the second service. You hear God using the praise team to talk to you. You have to hear it to believe it. Now some of you will call me a hypocrite and that's ok. That just means I have a lot of work to do to change your mind. Am I perfect? No! Do I want to be? Yes! Will I get there? Only time will tell! If you don't feel the passion of God speaking to you, do something about it. I invite you to First United Methodist Church. Come experience the Power and Glory of His name.

God is speaking to you,will you listen?

"Thy Will Be Done"

"Thy will be done."  I've been struggling with this phrase since Saturday.

Thursday evening, I wrapped up with my last client for the day and slid behind the wheel of my car.  As I started my car, I slid my hand into the pocket of my computer bag and pulled out my work phone and my personal phone to check for missed calls and messages.  I had a missed call from my Mom with a voicemail.  By the time I hit the farm to market road, I was listening to my Dad's voice tell me that he had two tumors and several smaller ones and that he was having surgery on Wednesday, followed by rounds of chemo and radiation.  MY WORLD WAS ROCKED.

Since that moment, I've been praying.  Praying for healing, praying for normalcy, praying for everything under the sun.  Saturday evening as I prayed, my answer came in the form of a single phrase. . .

"Thy will be done."

This is not the answer I was looking for, but it started my thoughts down a path.

Our Father, who art in heaven
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.  

I also thought about Jesus and the Agony in the Garden.  Jesus went to Gethsemane and he prayed. . ."My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will." Matthew 26:39.

 

I want so very badly to not go down this path, to turn my back and run in the opposite direction, but my Faith says I should do otherwise.  I should stay the path and pray that God's will be done.  Whatever the outcome, I will accept that God's will, God's plan was followed.  This is my test of Faith and I fully accept what has been laid before me.

 

Please pray for my Dad and my family as we head into Wednesday and the days and weeks to come.  Pray for strength and courage to face the days ahead as we prepare for God's will to be carried out in our lives.



He is Risen!

Today is Easter Sunday.  We kept things simple and understated with the childen today, choosing to focus on the true reason for the celebration.  Jesus Christ died on the cross and then rose from the dead on the third day.  Jesus paid the ultimate price for my sins so that I may live eternally with Him in Heaven.

After church we had lunch with family and then spent the remainder of the day just hanging out at home (taking a nap).

I'm struggling with some things right now, but I'm not quite ready to put them into words.  Maybe tomorrow.